bursitis and anti inflammatory drugs like Advil

[Kt1943]

Hi everyone, I am on 12.5 mg prednisone and Actrema for gca and have developed a very painful bursitis in one elbow. This is particularly painful because it means I cannot rest that arm on my wheelchair arm (I have MS) and I also use that elbow when I am pushing myself up in bed. My question is whether it is ok to take Advil as I seem to remember these drugs ar not good if you are taking prednisone. Also think of me on Wednesday when I have to have bone biopsy to see if the lesions on my spine are cancer. Thanks much.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

NSAIDs aren't recommended alongside pred - pred can irritate the stomach, so can NSAIDs and both together obviously increases the risk. That said, my rheumy uses them for up to 2 weeks at a time BUT insists I take acid-blocking medication such as omeprazole or famotidine. I think you need to discuss it with your doctors for more than the odd dose.

By far the best approach for bursitis is steroid injections - local treatment is far better. Have you tried icing it? That might help. It could well be the fact you use that elbow for pushing yourself up underlying it.

orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/disea...

Can you put a pad on the arm of the wheelchair to remove the pressure from the inflamed area?

All the best for Wednesday.

[Kt1943 in reply to PMRpro]

thanks very much for the helpful information. Yes, I do think the pushing up is making it worse. I have put a sheepskin pAd on the wheelchair arm and that is helping. Thanks also for the good wishes for Wednesday!

[ifeelold]

i don't know how i would function day to day without Advil. i take 3 200mg pills 3 times a day.

3 am is the most needed dose. that allows me to sleep the rest of the night. i was down to 3 mg of prednisone but with extreme stress (hurricane Ian, i live in Naples Florida) i have had a flare up. I'm increased last week to 4, but it didn't help and i went to 5. My Rheumatologist doesn't like it and wants me to try Tylenol, but is doesn't touch the pain.

Im not much help, but i do have to rely on Advil. And I do take Prilosec every day.

Ask your doctor, and I'm so sorry you have this awful condition. i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.